“HAREM, Episode One:  Code Name Hellion” by Mae Powers

Captain Hellaina “Hellion” Hernandez might be a seasoned HAREM agent, but she barely escapes her nemesis, Tyrah Tyranus, alive.   Tyrah’s henchmen are hunting her down when she falls into a hole.   Hellaine is rescued by Dr. Jared Harrington and his alien companion and fellow scientist, Boggin.  Feelings she believed long dead are ignited by Jared and Boggin.   Before they can even think of a future together, Hellaina must first destroy Tyrah and her allies. 

The alien seduction is skimmed over in “HAREM, Episode One: Code Name Hellion”, and I wonder if it was avoided because Boggin isn’t humanoid.   I guess Hellaina’s and Jared’s hot scene is plunked in to make up for it.   My second biggest complaint was there were too many slick acronyms, coming off as ridiculous rather than clever.

The narrative shifts from campy to dramatic, and I found myself comparing Tyrah Tyranus to a female Ming the Merciless.   Loads of techie details are liberally used, but action is the main ingredient.  Altogether, this story introduces a plot and characters that hit the ground running from start to finish.

“Tigre Moon” by Jenna Leigh

After her mother’s death, Neri is sold into slavery by her father to Tael.  She learns that she is hybrid, half human, partly of Maurania, the home world of the Tigre. 

Tael carries the ancient curse of the Tigre Moon.  He hopes that Neri is the woman to free him.  If she is not, they will both end up dying painfully.

This erotically charged Beauty and the Beast in-outer-space tale worked its magic on me.   I found the plot to be original and engaging.  The characters rang true when and where it counted most.   “Tigre Moon” was a guilty pleasure. 

“He Comes in Peace” by Megan Hussey

Muriel Stone escapes her troubles by taking an assignment to further research a recently charted planet. The downside is that her ex-husband, Wade, discovered the new world along with the woman that helped to break up her marriage.  The last thing she wants on board is company, or worse, pity.  Once things are under way, alien Jaron Ken of Eternia becomes the perfect distraction for Muriel in more ways than one. 

Muriel is a fascinating person, and not just as a woman formerly part of a brilliant husband-wife team, betrayed by her spouse for a scheming floozy.   Her ‘reward’ is a younger man that adores her and helps her to heal.   Yet, I never once felt sorry for Muriel or that she was undeserving of her happiness.  Jaron didn’t come off as a trophy partner.  His own accomplishments place him as her worthy equal.

What I enjoyed most about this story was the sexual tension that is stoked from the time of Muriel and Jaron’s first meeting.  Ms. Hussey does a good job of illustrating the magnetic attraction between her characters.  This tender and sensuous story contained the right balance and energy so that all the pieces to the puzzle fit.